Hundreds of Top Students "see blue." at Merit Weekends
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2012) — Some of the top students from across Kentucky and the region are taking time to focus on their futures, while also getting a taste of what it's like to be a Wildcat.
As the first of two Merit Weekends got underway in Lexington Friday, March 9, students greeted each other and registered for the event with the echo of March Madness in the background as a television screen in the Singletary Center Concert Hall broadcast the Wildcats' SEC Tournament win against LSU.
Merit Weekends are available by invitation to admitted students who have excelled academically in high school. The second of UK's two Merit Weekends takes place March 16-17.
The basketball buzz in the Singletary Center impressed these academically talented students.
Tates Creek High School senior Lauren Henrickson, who recently learned she won the prestigious Singletary Scholarship, says the event was especially exciting.
"It's a beautiful day, the SEC Tournament is on, and I'm already meeting new people even though I don't start at UK for nearly five months," Henrickson said. "It's just a great opportunity to really give you a feel for college life!"
The Office of the University Registrar and Office of Undergraduate Admission host these two-day events every March so that some of the best and brightest potential students can register early for their classes and glean a last look at campus before they decide where to attend college.
"UK is proud to host Merit Weekends for top scholars across the state and country," said Don Witt, vice provost for enrollment management. "Our goal is to honor top students by giving them an early orientation and advising conference."
Not only do students meet with individual advisers to register for fall 2012 classes, they get to talk to current students about what it's like to attend UK.
Austin Bosemer, a senior at St. Xavier High School in Louisville is still trying to decide where he will spend the next four years. He says that this type of event should help him with his decision-making process.
"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to learn more about academics at UK and talk to an actual adviser because I haven't had the chance to do that yet," said Bosemer. "I think it should be enlightening."
A record number of students already registered for this year's Merit Weekends. As of today, 875 total students representing 26 different states have registered for the programs.
"Merit Weekend is always an exciting time when we can congratulate students on their academic success and showcase everything that UK has to offer these exceptional students," said Stephen Barnett, associate director of admissions and associate registrar.
"We have found that Merit Weekends increase our yield with these outstanding students," Witt said.
For Tates Creek High School senior Lauren Childs, the weekend gives her the chance to become oriented to campus.
"Even though I'm from Lexington, I need to get familiar with campus," Childs said. " Plus, I get to schedule my classes early!"
These students also have the chance to go to a wide variety of sessions to discover the vast number of opportunities awaiting them at UK.
"Thanks to this campus-wide effort, we’re able to assist these students in taking that first step in transitioning to college," Barnett said. "They will learn about everything from Education Abroad and Undergraduate Research to Student Involvement and Academic Enhancement programs, all while charting an academic course for their college career."
Witt says the teamwork between his staff and the entire campus helps make this event a success year in and year out.
"Merit Weekend represents the collaborative effort of many areas across the UK campus," Witt said. "The success of the program is tied to the goals of moving UK forward."
For more information on Merit Weekends click here, call (859) 257-3256, or send an email or tweet.
To view videos about academics at the University of Kentucky, click on the playlist below.